Qantas cancels order for 35 Boeing 787-9 jets

Australia's Qantas has canceled an order for 35 Boeing Co. 787-9 aircraft, according to a statement issued by the airline on Wednesday.

The cancellation is part of Qantas' five-year turnaround plan, the airline said.

The 787 "is an excellent aircraft and remains an important part of our future," Alan Joyce, Qantas Group CEO, said in a statement. "However, circumstances have changed significantly since our order several years ago. It is vital that we allocate capital carefully."

Qantas initially placed the order for 35 787-9s in 2006, according to Boeing's website. The airline will retain options for 50 787-9s. Qantas' order for 15 787-8s remains unchanged, the carrier said.

In a statement, Boeing called Qantas a long-standing and valued customer.

"We appreciate the airline’s full confidence in the 787 Dreamliner with 15 firm orders for 787-8s and options / purchase rights for 50 787-9s," Boeing said. "We stand ready to serve them with 787-9s to meet their long-haul fleet needs into the future."

Boeing was more than three years late in delivering on the 787-8, forcing the aerospace giant to push back deliveries of the larger 787-9 as well. The first 787-9 is expected to be delivered in early 2014.

In other 787 news, Flightglobal reported Wednesday that South American carrier LAN will receive its first Boeing 787-8 on Aug. 31. LAN will be the first 787 operator in South America and only the fourth airline to receive a Dreamliner.

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